Hi All - new to this site. On Monday, I started the Atkins induction phase (did it once before a few years back with some success). A bunch of us at work decided to do our own personal version of The Biggest Loser - since our annual company meeting is in Hawaii in January. Unfortunately, I am not one of the ones attending, but I do have a cruise at the end of Feb I'd like to shape up for, so I signed on. I am so very inspired by many of you on here that I almost feel guilty wanting to lose the comparably measly 20 or so extra pounds I have. So far things are going well....I remember last time I did this, around day three the cravings went away and I've successsfully navigated around the very large tin of Maurice Lenell cookies in the office kitchen without too much angst. I've really let bad habits take me over and it's time to get serious about the way I eat and take care of my body. I'm hoping this little contest is a nice jump start. Anyhow, wanted to say hello and tell many of you that hearing your stories helps and inspires and comforts.

welcome, e. sounds like your getting a good start, and whether you want to lose 20 or 200 or whatever, you'll find great support here. good luck to you!

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Lose the 20 now before it become 100!!! I wish I had known about Low Carb 10 years ago when the weight started to creep up on me.

How are you doing today

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Rachel

Hi all! Rachel, so true!! The twenty crept up so easily, you are right that without paying attention and taking care of yourself, it absolutely can turn into 100 with a blink....I'm struggling with the 20 - I can only imagine if it were five times that - for those of you who are doing it or have done it, I cannot tell you the admiration I hold for you. You are strong, amazing people and should be so amazingly proud of yourselves!!

We're at the end of week one in the contest, and as of this morning, I am down just under 5 pounds. I'm finding it's still a day to day struggle - I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE sweets, and although I don't think I am really craving them, I am still surrounded by them thanks to the holiday season so they keep blipping my radar. (I'm sitting in my office and I can literally smell the chocolates sitting outside from a client...) This is by far the most challanging time of year for a low-carb lifestyle!!!

One of the other things I'm struggling with is the caffeine - withdrawal headaches. Since I don't drink coffee, I've always been a diet-coke addict. I've tried to cut those out completely because of the caffeine (and Atkins dislike for aspartame), but I'm suffering the effects. Has anyone else experienced this? Motrin works, but I am not a big fan of pill popping. Any suggestions??

I gave up caffeine years ago (I reintroduced myself to it though), and the thing that helped me the most was drinking a TON of water to help get the stuff out of my system as quickly as possible. I know that it takes 7 days to get over the physical addiction to cigarettes, but not sure what it is for caffeine. Luckily once you do get over the physical addiction, the emotional ties aren't there that are there for some other things.

Almost 5 pounds is GREAT!!! You lost almost 25% of your excess weight the first week of induction!

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Katie
275/238/150
Restarted 01/08/2007
37 pounds lost!
http://justanotherfatgirl.blogspot.com

That is so cool, doing Biggest Loser at work. How inspiring.

As for the caffeine, I would try to wean myself rather than cut it out cold turkey all at once.

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